BATON ROUGE - Teachers, supplemental programs, learning materials-- nothing is off the table when it comes to cuts that will have to be made to East Baton Rouge Public Schools next year according to James Crochet, Chief Financial Officer of the system.

"This fiscal year and next fiscal year is unlike anything we have seen in East Baton Rouge," Crochet said, describing the dire straits he will face next year, when he says the system will likely spend more than it will take in.

That is because sales tax revenue and property tax revenue are down about $3 million each from what leaders hoped the parish would bring in.

Now, school leaders like Crochet are calling on Baton Rouge businesses to help chip in and save EBR schools.

"I need help from the community and the businesses," Sherwood Middle Principal Phyllis Crawford said. "A business can adopt or hire a teacher, say, because they've lost a literacy coach."

Still, the question remains, who will answer the call?

If you would like to donate time or money to EBR schools, contact Volunteers in Public Schools at 226-4700 or visit their website.